Adventure and Photography – Passion for the Outdoors

Waterton – Hiking Crypt Lake

If you learn about Crypt Lake after you’ve left Waterton Park, you’ll be on you knees, eating dirt, shaking you fists at the heavens, crying ‘Why? Why did I miss it?’

– Kathy and Craig Copeland, authors of ‘Don’t waist you time in the Canadian Rockies’

After reading the introduction to this famous hike in Waterton Lakes National Park in our hiking guide there was no doubt, this was a hike we had to do! This hike offers gorgeous waterfalls, views over Hell Roaring Valley and end at a lovely hidden lake about 1970 meters above sea level. But that is not what has made this hike famous, you can thank the airy route which includes a ladder, dark tunnel and safety cable for that. That is probably what made this hike make the 2014 list of ‘World’s most thrilling trails’ by National Geographic.

This hike starts with a short boat ride from the docks at Waterton Village across Upper Waterton Lake to Crypt Landing where the trail head is. Crypt Landing is nothing but a dock for the boat to land on so bring everything you need for a full day out and make sure you are back for the last pick up to bring you back to Waterton Village.

Upper Waterton Lake

Before you start ensure you have a bear spray with you, this is bear country and Waterton has a high density of these fury friends. An encounter is not completely unlikely, they do however usually end well. Best way to avoid bears is to hike as a group and make noise. If you are alone you are sure to find someone to hike with as this is a popular trail and you will not be the only one heading towards Crypt Lake.

The hike starts at the shoreline and it takes a couple of kilometres before you build enough altitude to get views, but once you do you basically watch down on Hell Roaring Valley the rest of the hike. You will pass nothing less than 4 waterfalls on your way towards Crypt Lake.

Close to the trail head with Upper Waterton Lake in the background

Hell Roaring Valley

It is not before the last couple of kilometres before the lake the hike starts getting nerve-wrecking. At this time you start to realise how airy this hike is about to get. After passing a scree you get your eyes on the earlier mentioned tunnel. To get there you have to pass a narrow shelf with a huge drop below it. I stayed as close to the rock wall as possible. The section between the scree and the tunnel is not long, but it definitely got my adrenaline level up. The ladder at the end of the narrow shelf will help you get up to the tunnel.

Manoeuvring the narrow shelf (don’t look down…)

Happy to have reached the ladder

Looking out the tunnel at the last section of the trail before the lake

The tunnel is not natural, it was blasted out to make the hike to Crypt Lake easier. I can’t imagine how people were able to get here before the tunnel. On the other side of the tunnel the airy hike continues as you cling on to a safety cable to get around a rock band. Ok, clinging might be slightly exaggerated but it was a thrilling section of the hike.

If you didn’t turn around at the narrow ledge, the tunnel or at the sight of the safety cable you will be rewarded with emerald green waters beautifully surrounded by mountains when you reach Crypt Lake.

How long you get to enjoy the lake depends on how fast a hiker you are. Last pick up at Crypt Landing is usually 17:30. Make sure you check the latest schedule with Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co who run the shuttle service. Reservations are usually not required.

And did I mentioned the group arriving back at the dock 20 minutes behind us got delayed as they had a black bear and her cub cross that trail just in front of them.

The shuttle is coming to pick us up at Crypt Landing

Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment, we’d love to hear what you think. Do you have an exciting hike you would recommend? Have you done any of the hikes from National Geographic’s ‘World’s most thrilling trails’?

Thank you! This hike had awesome views:) We haven’t spent too much time in Glacier National Park but have driven through it, it looks very beautiful as well. Would love to spent some time there. Waterton is not that far away from Glacier. I believe they have some sort of cooperation, they are joined as International Peace Parks. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, much appreciated:)

When we got to the shelf I also wondered how I was going to get across! With some encouraging words from my husband I was able to make it. Once I had done on the way to the lake it didn’t feel to scary on the way back… not that there were any other options than to cross it to get back to the dock:)

I was sure everyone around here had done this one. It was definitely a fun one. For those doing via ferrata and such this one is a piece of cake. You could do it blindfolded:) Bear spray is definitely a good idea, lots of them in Waterton!

That narrow path and the drop down looks so scary! I wouldn’t have dared!! Honestly, I would have turned back. I wonder if anyone has fallen? Also, I didn’t know bear spray existed!!! I guess I need to spend more time outdoors, right?! Anyway, lovely post, Inger! Så vackra bilder du har, som alltid! Ha det bra! 🙂

One of the earlier commenters also wondered if anyone had fallen. I never even thought of checking that out before the hike:) I didn’t know bear spray existed either before we came to Canada. Don’t really need it in Norway:)

Several thoughts. First, of course, the incredible beauty. Second – a ride back! Wow! What a gift at the end of a long hike.
Third, I like the new name for your blog. It is shocking to me, though, because my latitude is about 31. Makes you seem w-a-y north!

Thanks a lot Emilie! The road back was at the trail head again, so unfortunately I had to cross the ladder and ledge once more on the way back:)
Glad you like the new name. To be honest we are currently only at 51 degrees north. But I was born and raised at 69 degrees, so that is where the name comes from:)
Thanks for commenting!

What a thrilling hike it must been! This hike is definitely not going to be on my list. Lol. The narrow path with huge drop on the right would be too much for me to handle. But I get to experience trail with you through your blog so thanks! Beautiful lake. .

Thanks a bunch Jamie! I am sure you would have made it. I believe some people even bring their dogs so even Xena could do it (unless she is afraid of height that is!). I was sceptical to the narrow path, but made it with some encouraging words from my husband (it was something like ‘let’s get moving, people are waiting…haha) 🙂

Thanks Jeff! It was quite a scenery, especially those airy sections. I definitely had butterflies, but was able to make it across with my encouraging husband behind me: ‘let’s go, people are waiting!’ Hehe… Thanks for commenting!

If you ever decide to go for this hike you’ll definitely get that adrenaline going! We went out for a hike last weekend as well (not as adventurous as this one) – it is such a lovely time of the year for hiking in the Rockies! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

Thanks a bunch Indah! It was stunning, with waterfalls, cliffs and a beautiful lake at the end of a trail. I am very happy it was the other group that encountered the black bear and not us, I am not sure how I would have reacted:)

Inger, that is one amazing trek, the scenery is amazing. I think I might be a little scared atop the narrow shelf by the tunnel. The wind would have my nerves shaking. You take wonderful photos. I wish to visit there someday. It would be a hike of a lifetime.

Thank you so much! The ledge wasn’t too bad, I was expecting it to be even worse after reading the trail description:) Some encouraging words from my husband and whoops, I was passed the worst part. Thanks for commenting!

Wow! I love hiking, but haven’t indulged in it for awhile. Your beautiful photographic journal is so inspirational. Thanks for sharing your travels in such a luscious way.
Thanks also for visiting Mocha Muse and leaving a couple of likes!
~ jayni

I’m yet to go on a proper hike but just looking at your photos makes me want to put on my shoes and go now! Not too sure how I’d feel about the narrow ledge but the scenery you get to admire afterwards would definitely make it worth it. X

Just do it! It feels so great and it is always awesome to be out in nature away from the laptop. Really clears my mind:) The ledge was a bit of a challenge, but what a scenery!! 🙂 Thanks a bunch for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment Becka!

Inger & Tor

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